Skolelinux (also known as Debian Edu) is an open source, free (libre) operating system based on the award winning Debian GNU/Linux distribution and specifically designed to be used on various educational institutions around the world.

Available for download as dual-arch installable-only CD and USB editions

The distribution can be downloaded via Softpedia or directly from its official website as a installable-only CD, USB and USB Sources ISO images. While the USB edition has been designed to be deployed on a USB flash drive of 8GB or higher capacity, the CD flavor can be written to either a CD disc or a USB stick.

Boot options

From the boot screen, the user can start the installation process with support for 32-bit (i386) or 64-bit (x86_64) computers. Both graphical and text-mode installers are available, along with support for speech synthesis and various advanced options, such as expert install and rescue modes.

Easy to use graphical installer

The graphical installer is easy to use and requires users to select a language and keyboard layout, choose a Debian Edu profile, partition the disk drive, enter a root (system administrator) password, setup users and passwords, as well as to select and install software packages.

Features the modern and productive KDE Plasma graphical environment with KDE-specific applications

The default and only desktop environment of Skolelinux is KDE Plasma, which provides users with a modern, familiar and productive graphical environment comprised of mostly KDE-specific applications suitable for educational institutions, such as schools or universities.

Bottom line

As mentioned above, Debian GNU/Linux and all the auxiliary software components included in Skolelinux are free software, free as in freedom.

Skolelinux was reviewed by Marius Nestor, last updated on October 29th, 2014